DND chief backs ‘sincere’ peace talks

MANILADepartment of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said he is not against peace talks, provided that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA-NDF) is really sincere in their negotiations with the government.

"As I said previously we defer to the decision of the president to meet or not to meet (with National Democratic Front of the Philippines negotiating panel chair Fidel) Agcaoili and (Luis) Jalandoni. I am not against peace talks provided the CPP-NPA-NDF is sincere in working for peace. Peace that jibes with our definition of peace," Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.

The DND chief, however, stressed that he is against peace talks, which is used by the communist movement in advancing its selfish interests.

"But to them, peace talk is just one of the activities to advance their armed revolution. If this is the objective of their wanting to talk, then I am against it," Lorenzana stressed.

Earlier, Agcaoili said he and Coni Ledesma have a scheduled a trip to the Philippines this month, in connection with their work as members of the NDFP component in the Joint Monitoring Committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Agcaoili said they have also been invited to meet with the new Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines. (PNA)

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